A critical article which appeared in a recent issue of The Iron Era...

Harry I. Hunt—Dover, N. J.

The Iron Era

A critical article which appeared in a recent issue of The Iron Era is obviously not based upon any accurate knowledge of Christian Science. Even a cursory examination of the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," beginning with the title, would have shown our critic that Mrs. Eddy's book does not claim to add anything to the Bible, but it is in very fact the "Key" which throws open to human understanding the spiritual truths contained in the Bible.

To compare Christian Science with Mormonism, because each has its own commentary on the Bible and uses it constantly as an aid to the study of the Bible, takes one nowhere in his quest for truth. Every other denomination has its own commentary or commentaries on the Bible, and Christian Science is no exception to the rule. What really does count is, that Christian Science has again made available to humanity the healing taught and practised by the Master.

Our critic says: "Now the great theorem of Mrs. Eddy's position is, that 'God is All-in-all.' But we point to the open grave, that God cannot be All-in-all." Christian Science plants its teaching upon that of the Master, who said, as we read in the eighth chapter of John's gospel: "If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death." Then the Jews said to him: "Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death." Here we have the Jews presenting the same argument that our critic puts forth, to refute Jesus' statement concerning the unreality of death. And in the fifty-fifth verse of the same chapter, Jesus classified these same men as liars, because they did not know God sufficiently to understand the truth of the Master's utterance.

Indeed, nowhere in the record of Jesus' ministry is it shown that he looked upon death as chargeable to his Father, of whom he said, "He doeth the words;" while of himself he said, "I can of mine own self do nothing." Jesus stated distinctly; "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." In the discharge of that mission the Master forgave sins, healed the sick, and raised people from the dead through his understanding of divine law; and as final proof that no partnership existed between the grave and the Father that did the works, he overcame the seeming power of death, and left an empty grave as an all-convincing proof that his Father, God, is All-in-all—that He is All-power, and that He is manifested in all that He creates.

The understanding of the law of God under which Jesus certainly did his mighty works, enabled him to heal people of sin and disease as readily as to raise the dead. Yet he said that he came, "not to destroy, but to fulfil"—surely a contradictory statement, unless the destruction of sin, disease, and death were in fulfilment of God's law. Mrs. Eddy says, "Truth destroys only what is untrue" (Science and Health, p. 143). Jesus, possessing a full understanding of Truth, must have recognized the untruth, the unreality of all that he destroyed. For if sin, disease, and death were really true or eternal, sent or permitted by God, their destruction never could be said to fulfil the law. To say that one believes in an infinite God who is good, who is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient, and then to give equal power to that which contradicts God's goodness and infinitude, is like saying one knows the multiplication table, and proving it by saying two times three equals seven.

Christian Science is consistent in its teachings; it is the religion of the Bible. Christian Scientists are eager and constant students of the Scriptures, striving and praying for that Mind "which was also in Christ Jesus,"—that Mind which certainly was filled with divine ideas, with a full knowledge of the truth about God and man. Christian Scientists are earnestly and honestly striving to emulate their Master, to love their neighbors as themselves; and in proportion to their understanding of Jesus' teachings they are obeying the twofold command to "preach the gospel" and "heal the sick."

Christian Science is a demonstrable religion. If this were not so, it would be a religion of faith without works. "The tree is known by his fruit," said Christ Jesus. This is the test which Christian Science asks the honest investigator to apply to its teachings.

The step ahead I do not need to see;
O Love divine, I leave it all to Thee.
Though dangers lurk, and to my sense 'tis night,
I will not fear, for Thou wilt guide aright.
Thy Holy Word my beacon-light shall be
O're rocky paths; I know it shines for me.

Delle Houghton Oglesbee.

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